Odor complaints are how composting programs lose internal support and how properties end up getting looked at. Three variables drive nearly all of it: how long material sits, whether lids actually close, and residue on containers and the enclosure floor. The spillage on the pad is the attractant nobody cleans.

Setting up composting is easy. Keeping it working past month two is the real challenge. Contamination, container placement, undersized capacity, staff turnover, compostable packaging confusion, odor, and no feedback loop. Six of the seven are design problems, not behavior problems.